Local Council Awards Scheme
in partnership with the National Association of Local Councils
The Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) is tailored to celebrate the achievements of the finest parish and town councils while offering a structured framework to empower all councils to enhance and realise their full potential. This scheme allows councils to demonstrate adherence to sector standards, be evaluated by their peers, and establish conditions conducive to ongoing improvement.
The scheme is carefully crafted to equip parish and town councils with the tools and encouragement needed at the initial stages of their improvement journeys. Simultaneously, it seeks to spotlight and commend councils at the forefront of the sector. Only through collaborative efforts within the sector, sharing best practices, elevating standards, and supporting those dedicated to enhancing their community offerings can individual councils and the sector as a whole reach their maximum potential.
Great Notley Parish Council- Quality Award
Little Waltham Parish Council- Foundation Award
Tolleshunt D'Arcy Parish Council- Quality Award
Woodham Walter Parish Council- Foundation Award
Wickham St. Pauls Parish Council - Bronze Award
West Hanningfield Parish Council - Bronze Award
Writtle Parish Council - Bronze Award
Great Bentley Parish Council - Silver Award
Great Waltham Parish Council- Foundation Award
Hullbridge Parish Council- Foundation Award
Saffron Walden Town Council- Quality Gold Award
Mistley Parish Council- quality gold
Southwoodham Ferrers Town Council- foundation
Wickford Town Council- foundation
Good Easter Parish Council - Bronze Award
Canewdon Parish Council - Silver Award
Halsted Town Council - Gold Award
why are councils encouraged to apply?
Engaging in the Local Council Award Scheme (LCAS) offers numerous advantages for parish and town councils. For those councils already confident in their high-performance standards, the scheme verifies them, affirming that they are contemporary and progressive according to sector benchmarks. For those aspiring to enhance their operations, it provides a structured framework to initiate and plan the initial stages of improvement, fostering increased performance and confidence. Establishing policies for continuous development becomes a key outcome, aiding councils in their pursuit of excellence.
Winning the award becomes a celebration for councillors and officers alike. It is a tangible acknowledgement and respect for their unwavering commitment and hard work.
Beyond the internal benefits, the award becomes a valuable tool for parish and town councils when collaborating with the local community or other partners. It instils confidence in these stakeholders, assuring them that the council operates at a national professional standard and is dedicated to delivering quality services.
The scheme’s impact extends to the national reputation of parish and town councils, showcasing their achievements and commitment to continuous improvement. This contributes significantly to building a positive image of councils on a broader scale.
how to apply
The first step is to register on the NALC website. NALC will then charge a small registration fee. You do not need to have all the criteria in place at this stage. You are simply registering your interest in taking part in the scheme. You can apply for ANY award level (i.e. you don’t need to start with the Bronze Award).
Once you have prepared your criteria, you will need to hold a public meeting to confirm you wish to submit an application for an award.
Please fill out the Registration Form and send to: info@ealc.gov.uk.
Once you have submitted the application form along with links to your documents, there will be a accreditation fee invoiced to you by the EALC. The accreditation fee varies according to the award applied for, the council’s income and the council’s accreditation history. The accreditation fee covers the cost of the accreditation panel decision-making process only.
The triage team at NALC will liaise with our expert panel at the EALC to assess your application. The EALC panel will then contact you with the result of your application.
Once you have successfully passed the accreditation, you can invite the Chairman of the Accreditation Panel to your full council meeting to present your certificate.
what are the different levels that can be achieved?
BRONZE
The Bronze Award is tailored for councils aiming to showcase their adherence to essential standards, ensuring effective delivery for their communities. Achieving this award necessitates the council demonstrating that it possesses the necessary documentation and information to operate lawfully and in accordance with established practices. Furthermore, the council must have policies in place for training its councillors and officers, laying the groundwork for future improvement and development initiatives. This award serves as a benchmark for evaluating your council's performance. It challenges you to meet the minimum standards and prompts thoughtful consideration of ongoing development and improvement. It provides a structured framework for councils to establish a solid foundation, fostering a commitment to excellence in their operations.
SILVER
The attainment of the Silver Award signifies that a council excels in governance, community engagement, and continuous improvement. Distinguished by going beyond mere legal obligations, quality councils emerge as leaders within their communities, consistently seeking opportunities to enhance and develop further. To secure the Silver Award, a council not only fulfils all the requisites of the Bronze Award but also provides additional evidence showcasing exemplary governance, effective community engagement, and notable council improvement initiatives. Given the elevated level of this accomplishment, a council bestowed with the Silver Award may also qualify to exercise the general power of competence, underscoring its commitment to exceptional standards and proactive leadership.
GOLD
The prestigious Gold Award signifies that a council stands at the pinnacle of best practices, attaining excellence in governance, community leadership, and council development. Distinguished by their forward-thinking approach, Gold Award councils not only provide exemplary leadership for their communities but also foster unity, exhibit outstanding business planning processes ensuring optimal value for money, and consistently pursue innovative solutions and opportunities for improvement. These councils serve as beacons of the highest standards achievable within our sector, showcasing the epitome of what can be accomplished for our communities. The Gold Award represents their unwavering commitment to exceptional performance and continuous advancement.
essex accreditation panel
The Essex County Accreditation Panel is run by the EALC and consists of a peer group of people working across different parts of the parish sector. The current panel members who support the activities of the LCAS in Essex are as follows:
CHAIR of the Panel
Cllr Peter Davey, EALC Vice-Chair
officer
Stephanie Robinson, EALC CEO
panel member
Karen Kuderovitch, Clerk at West Mersea Town Council
panel member
Tory Melhuish, Clerk at Wickford Town Council
panel member
Kathryn Richmond
panel member
Val Evans
panel member
Janette Stilts
panel member
Matt Welsh, Essex County Council
panel member
Cllr Jim Devlin, EALC Executive
panel member
Cllr John Gili-Ross, EALC Executive
Get in touch
If you have any enquiries relating to the Local Council Awards Scheme, please may you get in contact at- info@ealc.gov.uk